Belmont Hill junior defenseman Michael Brown has committed to playing college hockey at Merrimack. Brown is new head coach Scott Borek’s first local recruit since taking over the Merrimack program in April, all after Mark Dennehy was let go. The Belmont, Mass., native said he chose the Warriors due to a connection with the coaching...
Belmont Hill junior defenseman Michael Brown has committed to playing college hockey at Merrimack.
Brown is new head coach Scott Borek’s first local recruit since taking over the Merrimack program in April, all after Mark Dennehy was let go. The Belmont, Mass., native said he chose the Warriors due to a connection with the coaching staff, proximity to home, and playing in a premier college hockey conference.
“I chose Merrimack because the coaching staff was very welcoming to me and really exaggerated on how they could help me improve to be the best player I can be,” Brown explained. “I love the location. It’s close to home and my life long dream growing up was to play in Hockey East.”
Merrimack was the first Hockey East team to make an offer, but several other programs from the 11-team league showed interest.
Brown is a 2001-born, left-shot defenseman with good size and athleticism. A two-time participant at USA Hockey’s Player Development Camps, Brown had four goals and seven assists in 30 games this past winter for Jeremiah McCarthy’s Belmont Hill team.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Brown’s skating has been questioned over the years, but his physical tools and raw ability are intriguing.
“As a player, I’d describe myself as a physical defenseman who can also see the ice well and make good passes coming out of the zone,” said Brown.
“My feet are getting better as I progress through the years, but quickness and stick positioning in small areas are things I need to work on,” he added.
One of Belmont Hill’s assistant coaches is Ryan Flanigan, who played at Merrimack from 2008 through 2012. He was part of the 2010-11 team that made the NCAA Tournament, and also captained the team as a senior.
Merrimack’s other significant recruits since Borek became head coach are St. Andrew’s College defenseman Evan McIntyre and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders goaltender Christian Stoever.
